• 한국노년학
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.387-407
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• 2014

This study aims to identify the multiple trajectories of depressive symptoms and the characteristics of each trajectory group among the elderly. This study uses five waves of longitudinal data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KWPS, 2006-2010). Subjects were older adults aged 60 and over who had completed at least three waves between 2006 and 2010. A total of 4,181 respondents were analyzed. The latent growth mixture model and the multiple logistic regression model were mainly used for data analysis. The major findings were as follows: After controlling for the variables of gender, age, education, marital status, self-assessed health, and poverty, this study identified four different trajectory classes: stable low depressive symptoms (71.8%), high but decreased depressive symptoms (10.6%), moderate but increased depressive symptoms (7.9%), and an increased, then a decreased pattern of depressive symptoms (9.7%). The characteristics of theses trajectories as compared to previous studies were a lower percentage of 'stable low depressive symptoms', no 'persistently high depressive symptoms', and higher level of depressive symptoms. Also, the elderly in the stable low trajectory group had better health status, higher self-esteem and a good relationship with family members, having longer working periods, and more living in non-poverty. In addition, chronic health problems, loss of spouse, and household income differentiated the increased and then decreased pattern from the low stable pattern. Also, age and public pension differentiated the moderated but increased pattern from the low stable pattern. Based on the findings of this study, the researchers suggested political and practical implications for reducing depressive symptoms in later life.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to analyse and conduct the comprehensive geriatric assessment for the elderly in rural area. The subjects were 388 older people aged 65 years or older living in the community. Data for comprehensive assessment such as physical, mental, functional, social and environmental conditions were collected from January to February, 2001 through a person-to-person interview. Of the total 388 olders, 169(43.6%) were men and 219(56.4%) were women. Mean ages of men and women were $73.5{\pm}6.4$ and $74.0{\pm}6.2$ years respectively. Three common diseases of the elderly were arthralgia(51.6%), chronic back pain(33.2%) and hypertension(18.6%), and higher in women than in men. Impairment rate of vision, hearing and bowel or bladder control was 59.0%, 20.1%, and 28.4% respectively. But that of lover extremities 3.4%. In terms of cognitive function, short term memory loss was found in 33.7% of males and 44.7% of females. The percentage of fully independent in the six ADL items was 72.2% in men and 58.9% in women. In the social supportive system, 49.5% of the elderly were living with spouse, and 22.9% living alone, 26.3% having care giver. These results will provide basic data for the development of community-based health program, which gives appropriate health service for the elderly living in the community.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2011

Purpose: This study is to understand how community members perceive past life recollection and preparation for death. Methods: Using a questionnaire, we surveyed 160 adult residents of one of the districts (gu) in Seoul, Korea. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Participants chose their 30s and 40s as the most difficult time in their lives. The most painful experience was "an illness of a family member", followed by "trouble with a spouse", and "trouble with children". As for the most difficult social experience, "sense of loss in life" was ranked the highest. Personally, the happiest time was "accomplishment of a goal", while it was "happiness through children" in family relationship and "contribution to society through my career" in social life. As for the most regrettable experience, personally "having lived without purpose" was the highest, "not meeting my parents' expectation more" in family relationship; "not providing sufficient education" in relationship with children; "not having an occupation that I wanted" in work life, and "lack of social skills" in social life. More than 87% of the surveyed showed a positive attitude about the system of the do not resuscitate (DNS) order. For a situation where participants were supposed to have an incurable disease, "I want to be notified of the true condition" and "I want to write a will and advanced directives" ranked high, receiving more than 3.1 points out of 4. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the need for death education to provide people with an opportunity to accept their regrettable experiences in the past as part of their life. Also, this study suggests the importance of writing advanced directives for people to prepare for "death with dignity" how it can help their decision to be better respected.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.169-180
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was to identify the death recognition, meaning in life, and death attitude of participants in the death education program. Methods: A survey was conducted, and 205 data were collected. Descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, ANOVA, and Duncan test were used. Results: 1) The followings were the characteristics of death recognition shown by the participants. Over half of the participants said that they had given some thoughts on their deaths, that they had agreeable view on death acceptance, and that diseases and volunteer works made them think about their deaths. Moreover, suffering, parting with family and concerns for them, etc. were the most common reasons for the difficulty of accepting death. As for 'the person whom I discuss my death with', spouse, friend, and son/daughter were the most chosen in this order. Lastly, the funeral type that most of the participants desired was cremation. 2) The means of meaning in life and death attitude were $2.92{\pm}0.29$ and $2.47{\pm}0.25$, respectively. There were significant differences between health status, meaning in life and death attitude. 3) A significant positive corelationship was found between meaning in life and death attitude (r=0.190, P=0.001). Conclusion: For an effective death education program that would fit each individual's situation, an educational content that can make a person understand the meaning of his or her life and death, includes knowledge to lessen the fear and anxiety of death, and helps a person heal from the loss of a family member is absolutely necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.498-508
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• 2017

Purpose: The present study investigated nutrient supplement intake to examine the relationship between the health behaviors of nutrient supplement users and nonusers and nutrient supplement users and other drug users. The results provide baseline data to understand whether nutrient supplements actually perform as expected in view of the fact that healthy people that take nutritional supplements may become healthier, but may also develop nutritional supplement abuse problems. Among 7,006 household heads of 24,614 household members from the Korea Health Panel data in 2008, a total of 6,009 household heads were the respondents of the Korea Health Panel Survey (appendix) in 2009. Method: The subjects of the present study were targeted household heads. The respondents who reported that they had taken (planned to take) life/health promotion-related drugs (01. vitamins/nutritional supplements) for more than three months that were purchased at pharmacies during the past one year at the time of the survey were defined as nutritional supplement users. Those who took other drugs (05. hair-loss treatments, 06. obesity treatments, 10. others) were regarded as other drug users. A chi-squared test was performed to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects and differences between groups. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze health behaviors according to nutrient supplement intake. Result: Comparison of (A) nutritional supplement users and nonusers revealed that those who were women, 50 years or older, and spent more than average living expenses were more likely to take nutritional supplements, which was not significant in health behavior variables. Analysis of nutritional supplement users and other drug users (B) revealed that those who were high school graduates or above, had a spouse, were non-smokers, took drugs, ate regular meals, and were not stressed by economic or family conflicts were more likely to take nutritional supplements. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that people take nutritional supplements because of their psychological desire to be healthy, not because they are not healthy, have problems, or believe supplements will make them healthier.